D4 - 260 Starting Issues - Help Please

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tasontour

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HI Team,

Hoping someone can provide some help here please.

I have a D4-260 in Northern Australia in a 8m Trailer Boat. Over the last 6m it has progessively become harder to start, requiring cranking about 5-10s before it fires up. Here is a summary:

Problem is there hot or cold - seems to make no difference
It does seem to be getting progressively worse but not sure if that is all in my mind..
Engine 1400h & about 9y old
Just had top end re-build including all injectors being tested, head was pressure tested as part of process
Compression in engine is good
All fuel filters replaced and clean
Engine runs well once running
Fuel primer pumps up and gets hard - however does not stay hard once primed
Starting does not seem to improve when I am pushing the primer as it cranks

I have been told it might be the high pressure fuel pump passing - but not sure. Are there any other checks I can do myself? Is it possible to put an inline electric primer pump into the line?

Appreciate if anyone else has been through this issue - or if they can link me to a thread on the same as I could not see one.

Thanks in advance.
 
I would get an engineer to connect the Vodia tool so you can read the rail pressure to see how quickly it builds up to operating pressure and how long it holds it after shut down. This will give you an idea of the HP pumps health or if there is a leak in the system.
 
HI Spannerman,

Thanks very much for the reply. The Service Agent came around on Monday and hooked up the computer - there are no alarms or codes on engine apparently. The solenoid and non return valve on the common rail have already been replaced, I had heard about the hgih pressure fuel pump passing may cause this sympton - but have also heard that this usually shows an error code if there is an issue here?

I started when the technician was here and he said it is definately taking too long to fire - but that I should not be too worried about it as he has seen much worse. My view is that taking 5s+ of cranking to fire is much too long so keen to see if I can sort it out.

A friend of mine who works with trucks suggested installign an inline high pressure fuel pump on the supply line but I am not sure that is a good idea..?

Happy if there are any other options or suggestions I could try?

thanks in advance
 
i know zero about fixing engines, however i just had my starter motor replaced
old one 20 yrs of age, was also occaisionally not catching the starter ring with the bendix
def improvement in the way it starts, no hesitation at all, used to take up to 10 secs to start when cold, now vitually instant
 
Thanks for that. I'll ahve a look at my starter motor and see if there are any issues there..

@ Spannerman - Ijust re-read your post - dont think he did all the data checks you mentioned so will ask again...

I'll update with what I learn.

thanks
 
Hi Team,

I had the Volvo technician put the vodia on it on the weekend whilst I started it up. There were no error codes, voltage and starter motor appear ok. The pressure on the fuel supply went from 200 - 400 - 600 (kPa?) before it started. Once running it sat at a steady 456 (kPa?) which the guy said is about normal. The boat was on the trailer so could not rev it above 1500rpm but there are no issues with how it runs - only the time it takes to fire up initially.

Happy for any suggestions/pearls of wisdom. My fear is that one day I am way off shore and it does not fire at all so keen to get it fixed if possible..

Cheers
 
Assumimg its common rail? I would suspect an injector leaking off to much fuel.
Youtube search injector leak off test.
Test kits on ebay etc under 30gbp.
 
Could there be a small air leak in the system before it reaches the high pressure pump, therfore drawing in air when cranking and taking a little longer to start as it has to auto bleed ? It won't start until the fuel rail hits it's magical pressure.
 
A friend with a Jeep Cherokee (petrol) has a similar issue but it was diagnosed to be a slow build up of oil pressure which apparently stops a fire up until it reaches a level. I guess the Vodia would have picked this up (assuming Volvo diesels have this safeguard). It would be great if it was something as simple as the oil filter anti-drain back valve not functioning.
Just a little brainstorm.
 
Rappey said:
Could there be a small air leak in the system before it reaches the high pressure pump, therfore drawing in air when cranking and taking a little longer to start as it has to auto bleed ? It won't start until the fuel rail hits it's magical pressure.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed it could be, you will have fun finding that, is there an electric or mechanical pump feeding the HPFP?

Common fault on common rail road going machines is one of the injectors start to leak off to much fuel, this either means a failed start or a delayed start, when bad they need a sniff of easy start to get them going until repaired.
Can happen at any time.
 
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